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Oklahoma Spring Game 2016 – What To Look For

By Sixto Ortiz

Nov 21, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners players run onto the field before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners players run onto the field before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) runs the ball against Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) during the first half of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) runs the ball against Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) during the first half of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Running Game Continues to Hum

Uber-talented tailbacks Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon combine as the engine that makes the Oklahoma running game hum. And hum it did a year ago: In 2015, Perine and Mixon combined for 2,102 yards and 23 TDs. The dynamic duo delivered this kind of production during a season when early on the running game faltered as offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley worked to figure out how to integrate Perine and Mixon’s talents into his Air Raid attack.

With another off-season under Riley’s system, it’s safe to assume the Oklahoma rushing attack will be even more productive in 2016. Both Perine and Mixon suffered injuries during the Orange Bowl, so Sooner fans should not expect to see much action from either player on Saturday. However, it will be of interest to see the progress of Daniel Brooks and Rodney Anderson, both very talented in their own rite. Brooks was a minor contributor during 2015 and Anderson spent the season recovering from an injury.

Baker Mayfield is a running quarterback. He was third on the team in 2015 with 405 rushing yards and seven TDs. But, given Oklahoma’s thin bench strength at quarterback, it’s probably safe to assume that the coaching staff will do their best to keep Mayfield upright and out of harm’s way.

If Brooks and Anderson can step up and become more effective change-of-pace running backs that will take some pressure off Mayfield, Perine and Mixon. For Oklahoma to succeed, that trio must remain injury free throughout the 2016 campaign, so Anderson and Brooks must contribute more to the running game to make this happen.

That process begins Saturday for both players.

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